Hamas proposes exchanging Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners in “one go”

Kathmandu: Hamas has proposed to exchange all Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners in “one go.”

According to Aljazajeera, Hamas proposed for the exchange during the second phase to reach a permanent ceasefire.

Issuing a statement, Hamas said it is ready for a second phase in which all of the captives held in Gaza are exchanged in “one go”. Hamas rejected Israel’s call for its disarmament and removal from the Gaza Strip in the statement.

Hamas confirmed it will release the remaining six living captives, who were set to be freed in the first phase, on Saturday. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says negotiations for the second stage of the deal “will happen this week”.

Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for Hamas said the occupation’s condition of removing Hamas from the Gaza Strip is a ridiculous psychological war, and the withdrawal or disarmament of the resistance from Gaza is unacceptable.

He said any arrangements for the future of the Gaza Strip will be through national consensus.

Addressing the group’s decision, Qaeem said the number of captives to be freed during the next swap on Saturday will be increased from three to six.

In exchange, he said, Israel will release several prisoners with life sentences and long sentences.